The Court Services and Supervision Agency in Washington D.C. is waging a fight to help its 16,000 clients to stay out of prison and jail. CSOSA Public Affairs Specialist Leonard Sipes is taking the battle to the streets. Sipes, and others CSOSA staff members, are reaching out to employers, and pointedly asking if they would hire an ex-offender. If the answer is “no,” CSOSA asks, “Why not? And then gives these employers reason to rethink their position.
CSOSA is a relatively new federal program that was founded in 1997 to provide community supervision to those in Washington, D.C. who are on probation, parole, or supervised release. On any given day, that amounts to supervising 16,000 men and women. CSOSA staff members rise to this challenge by determining what their clients need most. Sipes will tell all who will listen, and those who won’t, that employment is a key issue in increasing public safety, and reducing recidivism.
CSOSA developed a public service announcement campaign that asked employers to hire ex-offenders. The agency uses every tool it has to sell the idea of hiring those with a criminal history. Business owners are informed of a government tax credit available for employers who hire ex-offenders. Statistics proving that public safety increases when felons are employed are spoken about at meetings with community leaders. CSOSA offers a faith-based mentoring program that pairs mentors with clients seeking employment. CSOSA even teams up with ex-offenders who are now successful business owners, and who will hire individuals who have a criminal past.
Despite all of the efforts to find employment for ex-offenders, happy endings are not a given. Less than half of CSOSA’s caseload have a job. Not to be deterred, CSOSA created the Vocational Opportunities, Training, Education and Employment (VOTEE) program which provides individuals with reading and language skills, as well as job-readiness skills, such as how to write a resume, or how to ace an interview.
CSOSA realizes that there are many obstacles to overcome. Public perception of ex-offenders is still low. Laws that hinder the success of people with a criminal history are still on the books. Many ex-offenders have no work history, but do have a history of substance abuse/mental health issues. But sometimes things aren’t always dismal. D.C. really passed a law that prohibits asking about a potential employee’s criminal history on job applications for city government jobs. CSOSA is willing to try innovative ideas to reach businesses, and to work with those sincere in their effort to find employment.
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Source: Capital Community News
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